Just at the bottom of the hills we find the most beautiful Rest Stop I have ever seen in the state of Tennessee. 
Welcome to Nickajack Rest Stop on the Tennessee River! 
This is usually our first stop on the way back to Georgia and a great spot to become rejuvenated by fresh air and beauty. 
As you can tell, it was a bit hazy when we stopped but the greeting out front was an awesome treat. 
We were greeted by a beautiful flower garden which I failed to capture on film. I was captivated by the activity within the garden. This Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly as well as....
this Cloudless Sulfur butterfly were busy as the bees we saw. I was snapping pictures away when the Saint said, "Come here and check out this dude." My camera then went to the Saints discovery. 
This carnivorous Dude, being a Praying Mantis was busy munching away on a meaty meal. The Praying Mantis eats flies, moths, crickets, grasshoppers and even its own kind. Yep, the female is known to eat her mate during or after mating. Wow, aren't you men glad to be human and not bugs?
The Praying Mantis gets its name of course by the folding prayer position of the front legs. It has big eyes and can see movement up to 60 feet away!
They are brown or green and can blend in with their surroundings. I am not sure what this dude was eating but it was sure enjoying the meal.
The Saint had to practically drag me away from the Rest Stop as I was having a blast watching all the fun. But we did have two furry babies waiting on our arrival back to GA so we had to cruise on down the road.
We have made this journey many times and have yet to stop to take a peek at Rock City or....
Ruby Falls. Maybe one day we will fit them into our schedule and stop for a bit to admire the beauty from above.
I am always a bit sad to leave that TENNESSEE REST STOP, but I always know that soon I will be back, In the Garden....
Beautiful countryside Skeeter! And always....I'm in such awe of your photo taking, subject being bugs. They are clear and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely area with the view & obviously a pretty garden that attracts wildlife galore.
ReplyDeleteDawn, Tennessee is full of beautiful rolling hills and lots of green grass. Remember that song, the Green green grass of home? Tennessee is where my heart calls home... I really do have fun with that zoom lens!
ReplyDeletePerennialgardener, the entire front of the rest stop was full of zinnias and other beauties I just wish I had snapped a picture of the entire plot as it was beautiful to the eye. A nice welcome for tired travelers and a great spot with clean bathrooms for a potty break! I also wish it had been a clear day but I was not complaining as it had been raining earlier on during our drive...
Good Morning All.
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, what lovely pics. I've seen these views many time in my travels back home. Yes, I agree, Tennessee is a beautiful state---like no other. Many diversities of all things.
Thanks for a brief "visit" back home.
Have a very lovely day everyone.
Skeeter, look at pic 11 & see if you see an eagle made from clouds or am I dreaming!!
ReplyDeleteLola, you are not crazy, I too see the Eagle! How observant of you to notice that. It looks as though he is looking down below into the valley. Great eye to spot that Lola…
ReplyDeleteThat is outstanding! I posted on Nickajack lake one time so it is super great to see it in person! Love those pictures. Is this Great Frittilary the same as on our header? I bet it is. My oldest daughter will be doing bootcamp in FT. Jackson, so I will be traveling this direction to see her and when I stop, I am going to look for this rest stop. How far are you from Ft. Jackson? I might be able to make that trip after all. Really good post.
ReplyDeleteSounds and looks like a nice ride.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
of course i love tn because i live here and it is beautiful. i have never stopped at that rest stop but will be looking for it next time i go back to fl. what fun captures your lens got. the sulfer is beautiful and the praying mantis is a cool subject.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful pictures! Loved the butterflies and the mantis too!
ReplyDeleteTina, the picture on the heading is the “Gulf” Fritillary and I captured him on my butterfly bushes. Today we spotted two Monarchs fluttering around the butterfly bushes! They are beauties. I love those bushes!
ReplyDeleteTina, I will be expecting a visit from you as Ft. Jackson is only 1 hour from us! The Saint use to go TDY there to maintain a system! Good job daughter number 1 for following moms footsteps…
Jean, it is a most beautiful rest stop and a perfect stop being about 2 and half hours into our trip. Usually we eat breakfast before we leave home so this is a great stop for potty break and I have yet to see a frog in the toilet! hee hee...
Marmee, Nickajack is just before you go into Chattanooga so keep your eye out as it is a beautiful stop. If you cross the Tennessee River, you have pasted it...
We waxed the car and put 10 bags of dirt in holes and now headed to town to order some window blinds. Beautiful day and loving it so much...
Kanak hagjer, we commented at the same time! Thanks for you kind words...
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, I failed to mention how beautiful the butterflies & that praying mantis is something else. I was too en trawled about the eagle. That rest stop is one of the most beautiful stops that I've ever seen. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThat butterfly is perfect! My favorite. I am seeing them all the time and some that have half their wings missing. I am surprised they can even fly. This one you captured is perfect. Must be new. Count on us visiting. Not sure when as it will depend on my daughter's time at Ft. Jackson but one hour is SO doable! I'll see that garden after all and the two black puddytats.
ReplyDeleteHi Skeeter, you have done the state of Tennessee proud. It is a most beautiful place, I agree. Your photos are super, great detail on the mantis and the butterfly. I would have liked to seen the zinnias, what a nice treat for weary travelers. I have not been to Rock City or Ruby Falls either, even though they are quite close to us. I just like seeing the See Rock City signs on barns. LOL
ReplyDeleteFrances
Both Rock City & Ruby Falls are fantastic to see. If you get a chance do go see them. Mind you Ruby Falls in down in a cave so be prepared. There is also Fat Mans Squeeze another quaint place. But do enjoy all that Tennessee has to offer.
ReplyDeleteI remember driving through this part of Tennessee on our way to Florida; it is indeed such beautiful country. Love the praying mantis--I seem to have a bounty of them in my garden this year and have learned so much about them. You would think the males would think twice before they tried to seduce the cannibal females:)
ReplyDeleteWow, gorgeous Skeeter! That rest stop looks like the pause that refreshes! What beautiful views.
ReplyDeleteLola, have you ever stopped at this rest stop?
ReplyDeleteTina the garden will be almost dead by then but I will have a lot of green around to see. Plus the zoo and gardens in Columbia will be a great visit and we may have to join yall for that trip! We go there several times a year although never in the winter but that may be fun too...
Frances, I cannot tell you how many “See Rock City” Barns I passed before thinking to grab the camera. Do you think we passed any more once I had camera in hand? Well I reckon the lack of barn photo answers that one! The best I could do was the fake barn! lol... I only wish it had been a clear day as the place stands out like wearing a pair of 3-D glasses in the sunshine! The two large plots of flowers were beautiful and full of activity, butterfly, bee, moths, etc...
Lola, those are places I have wanted to stop and see for years and years but always on my way home, pressed for time and want to see family more so then the sights. One day we will just have to plan to go though. We finally stopped to see the Nashville zoo this trip up and it was worth the visit, Small but perfect to stretch the legs after 5 hours of travel. We also stopped at the TN aquarium in Chattanooga on our way back to GA and it was awesome...
Rose, I reckon that female persuasion is more then the fellow mantis can resist! I rate the female preying mantis right up there with the black widow spider!
I have not seen as many this year as in years past here. Maybe the drought, hummmmm...
Garden Girl, we are on here at the same time. lol... It is a great leg stretching and potty break stop. A little piece of heaven in my book...
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, I have stopped there many times. It was almost a ritual. Sure would like to do it one more time.
ReplyDeleteWe have never visited Tennessee, but now I think we should. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful way to travel. I haven't stopped at those tourist attractions either, but I know they have been around for as long as I can remember.
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful butterflies and that quirky little praying mantiss. : )
Nice mantis shot. Although they are good to have in the garden they really freak me out. I remember when I was about 15 I had one also jump in the car with me.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know this rest stop...and love it too.
ReplyDeleteLola, maybe some time you can get back to TN. I know it is pretty in the fall...
ReplyDeleteAunt Debbi, Tennessee is full of beauty. Rolling hills, lakes and rivers make for a true nature paradise!
Eve, one day I will see more then the signs of those places. I have wanted one of the "See Rock City" birdhouses for ages but the only ones I have found are way too pricey. I think the Cracker Barrels have them at times. I will eventually find the right priced one..
Dan, not sure how I would react to a mantis in the car with me. A fly is one thing but a mantis, wow, that must have left an impression on your young mind...
Jillybean, it is a great stop to have a view and breathe in some fresh air. Ever had your boat on the TN River? We talk about getting our boat up there every time we cross the bridge...
That looks like a great rest stop! I love stops where there is something to look at and it's actually nice to walk around.
ReplyDeleteI love that part of TN too. If I ever win the lottery, I want to move there and settle down. So much to do in the way of hiking, rock hunting, fishing (things to keep Hubby interested), nature viewing, gardening...ahh! Paradise! You really should see Ruby Falls and Rock City. Millions of visitors (including us) can't be wrong! Chattanooga has a wonderful aquarium too, and the Tortilla Factory downtown (if it's still there) makes a pretty smooth margarita. I noticed in an earlier post of yours that you are partial to them. Aren't we all?
ReplyDeleteThose are such beautiful photos...I will have to visit Tennessee someday.
ReplyDeleteCindy, Rest stops with a view are wonderful and they encourage you to stretch a bit longer...
ReplyDeleteWalk2Write, We went to the aquarium a few years ago and ate at the Tortilla Factory! On the way back to GA with this recent trip, we stopped there again to check out the new Ocean life and butterfly additions! The posting will be coming up soon. We had planned to eat at the Tortilla Factory but it is no longer there! sniff sniff. They were renovating the place into something else...
Parsec, TN is well worth a visit. Rolling hills, lakes, rivers, farms and lots of wild critters along with some friendly folks too!